/Oracle Jones
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| -Signs, Portents, and the Weather- |
| Will Next Winter Be Like The Winter of 1886-87? |
| 2014-03-08 |
| The Winter of 1886--1887 was extremely harsh. Although it affected other regions in the United States, it is most known for its effects on the Western United States and its cattle industry. This winter marked the end of the Open Range era and led to the entire reorganization of ranching. The summer of 1886 had been unusually hot and dry, with numerous prairie fires and water sources often dried up. In the fall, signs of a harsh winter ahead began to appear. Birds began flying south earlier than usual, beavers were seen collecting more wood than normal for the winter ahead, and some cattle even took on thicker and shaggier coats. The first snows fell earlier than usual in November and were reported as some of the worst in memory. Extreme cold temperatures killed humans and animals. In some instances, people got lost close to their houses and froze to death very close to their front doors. The winter weather even reached the West Coast, with snowfall of 3.7 inches in downtown San Francisco setting an all-time record on February 5, 1887. The loss of livestock was not discovered until spring, when a large number of cattle carcasses were spread across the fields and washed down streams. The few remaining cattle were in poor health, being emaciated and suffering from frostbite. This resulted in the cattle being sold for much lower prices, in some cases leading to bankruptcy. Future president Theodore Roosevelt's cattle ranch in Dakota was wiped out by the severe winter, prompting him to abandon his ranching operations and instead pursue his political career. Temperatures in Western US fell to 50 below zero, killing many livestock and people. |
| Posted by:Omavising Ebbemp9815 |
| #11 Well due to viruses it looks like there is going to be a shortage of pork and chicken, so along with a beef shortage food prices will take another hit. What next radioactive fish....TAPCO leaks...uhm never mind. "John Ringo call your office." |
| Posted by: Glert Johnson5763 2014-03-08 19:49 |
| #10 Yep, the "science" is settled! |
| Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 2014-03-08 17:24 |
| #9 Have there been 5 major volcanic eruptions? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2014-03-08 14:19 |
| #8 a recurrence of the 1886-87 winter would be more proof of |
| Posted by: Frank G 2014-03-08 13:32 |
| #7 Well, we are back down to 0F in Alaska. Welcome to spring. But on a serious note, we keep our emergency stuff in good order. Lose natural gas and electricity during an earthquake in winter and you better have a plan B and C in the pocket. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2014-03-08 13:21 |
| #6 I believe the '87 winter was the subject of a Laura Ingels Wilder book. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2014-03-08 11:38 |
| #5 Hey Tornado Baits (myself included): Good time to check out your emergency kit and smoke detectors (that's for everyone). Its still too early to switch out cold weather gear for warm weather gear but close; I get the feeling there will be snow problems for another month. Something handy to have for this age is the solar charger. Plan for being out of services for 7 days - medicine, food, socks and undies. Especially water. Available are nifty pint and quart size puncture resistant water packets - check emergency boating supplies. About the only place more isolated than the high plains would be a boating accident - its the right stuff so check it out. Includes flood plainers, fire evac, and you earthquaker Oklahomans. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2014-03-08 10:11 |
| #4 Notice as this years cold has hit the Midwest and Plains, no one is talking about a delayed planting season. Too non-urban to be of concern I'm sure. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2014-03-08 08:04 |
| #3 Throw another liberal on the fire. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2014-03-08 03:57 |
| #2 Whiskey! Denver needs whiskey! /Oracle Jones |
| Posted by: Shipman 2014-03-08 03:22 |
| #1 If Al Gore keeps yapping his stupid trap it will be. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2014-03-08 00:32 |